87% of the Millennial generation still buy the print version of textbooks – even when the eBook is offered free. Why? Because they are stating they prefer print because it’s easier to follow stories.

So, when all is said and done, getting the word out about your product using traditional media is still an effective approach. In fact, a MarketingSherpa study found that email is the only digital medium that ranks a 50% engagement rate, as consumers typically have signed up to receive the information.

So, as a business owner this should drive home just how necessary it is to make use of every available means of getting the word out about your company. So how can you combine traditional media with digital media? Here are a few tips to consider:

· Be sure your branding is consistent – no matter the media form used! Keep the same colors, font, images, etc. whether electronic or traditional.

· Keep up with the results of each type of media used. This will help you know where to invest your media budget.

· Integrate your online presence with your traditional advertising approach. Mention your website and social sites on any print, radio or television spot. It should be a seamless approach to engagement.

· Be organized and thoughtful in your approach to media. Think about your niche and the audience you will be reaching with each type of media and then design the media campaign(s) with that focus.

· Use pictures, video, radio announcements, etc. that tell a story and draw people in. People like stories so be strategic, real, and inspirational – traditional media thrives on this, as does the social media world.

· Remember that social media is only one part of the story. People still use traditional media as a news source.

So, if you are looking for a way to get the most from your advertising budget, then integration not segregation is the key. Electronic media and traditional media can coexist. By using traditional media, you can reach a large audience that is often ignored, but if you ignore the digital you will miss a significant portion of your audience. It’s all about determining what mediums work for your needs. Look for ways both digital media and traditional media can help improve your business and use them to your advantage.

If you are interested in navigating the world of social media, but have no idea where to start, don’t despair. Write Away Copywriting is happy to set up and manage your social media platforms. Contact a social media professional today.

You don’t have to be an expert to maintain a presence on social media. However, you do need to have a strategy, a plan and a commitment to make your presence known. If you have never given any thought to what you want your social media platforms to look like, then there is no time like the present.

Here are a few things to keep in mind;

Determine who your audience is (or who want it to be).

Decide how often and when you will post.

Study the various platforms, paying special attention to the most popular- Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus , LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Keep in mind that not every business will work on every platform. For instance, while the first four will work great for nearly every business, Instagram and Pinterest might not.

Choose a cover photo and profile picture that expresses who your company is and what you do. Be sure to use the same images on every platform as this adds credibility and helps with branding.

In most cases, shorter posts are better than long ones.

As much as possible, include a picture as part of the post. Ideally, the picture should be original to you/your company. When it isn’t be sure to give credit to the source.

Be sure to check for spelling, punctuation or grammar errors.

Don’t be afraid to post something that might be controversial. This often encourages reader engagement.

In making a social media post, ask yourself the following: Is it educational? Is it entertaining? Is it encouraging? The more of these you can answer, “yes” to the better the post.

Consider linking back to your website whenever possible. This is referred to as signposting, and provides external links.

Don’t make every post about yourself. Ideally, only 20% of your posts should be about you. Otherwise, your followers will get bored with what you have to say.

Did you use #hashtags and keywords that go with your business?

These are but a few tips for developing a social media presence. Develop a plan that works for you and then commit to it. Need help? Contact Write Away to manage your social media platforms for you.

Some of my best memories of growing up involved word games–specifically, playing Scrabble with my dad. My dad is a pro at Scrabble and it was viewed much like a rite of passage to be able to beat him at this game. My dad plays Scrabble like he does everything he approaches- he plays it to win, preferably by a large margin. So, when playing Scrabble against my dad, it wasn’t just about having a good word, but about playing it in the spot that gets the maximum number of points. A score of less than 10 was scoffed – unless it was the end of the game and the goal then became, “Just get rid of the tiles!”

This passion for words was encourage through other word games such as Upwords, supplemented with books of word searches and solving scrambled word puzzles and in doing crossword puzzles. As I got older, I discovered the wonderful world of Roget’s Thesaurus and could be found reading the thesaurus or dictionary – just for fun.

But this love of words and wordplay was something I saw more as a hobby that fit well with my love of reading and writing. I never saw writing or words as being a career. However, a few years ago, I was taught how to join my love of words with the Web and the perfect job presented itself. And for that I will always be grateful!

Writing for the Web has taught me many things. It has opened up doors I never dreamed possible, It has allowed me to make many great friends and learn about topics and fields, I would- most likely- have never studied. Forming Write Away Copywriting and spending my days writing is an awesome journey and one I look forward to embarking upon every day.

So to those of you who have had a part in broadening my horizons and expanding my knowledge and skills, Thanks! I look forward to many more writing adventures in the future. If we haven’t met, drop me a line, I would love to help you build your Web presence – be it through text for a new website, making revisions to your existing site, crafting and writing your newsletter or perhaps managing your social media–just ask. If there is writing to be done, I am happy to do it.

And for now, perhaps it’s time to break out the Scrabble game–it’s been at least a week since the last time I played!

Not long ago, I had the privilege of being a part of a educational event at a local university. It was my “job” to pretend to be suffering with pains similar to having a bladder or kidney problem. It was up to the students to ask enough questions to determine the cause. This was an activity far removed from my normal day, and one that I greeted with excitement, and even a bit of trepidation. After all, I am more of an observer, and prefer to avoid drama of any kind.

However, the day was actually quite enjoyable. I found that stepping outside of the box was more fun than anticipated and I got to meet some really great people. And, even better, I found that with each new “doctor” I met, the more comfortable and easier the acting became. I found I anticipated the questions, knew better how to answer and learned a bit about what it takes to train to be a physician.

My experience with acting is often how people feel about using social media or blogging about their company. Taking that first step and setting up a social media page might be intimidating. There are “all those” questions to answer, and the job of finding the right pictures. Then, you have to spend time each week posting things that are engaging and interesting. These tasks can seem daunting, so people often choose to merely observe other businesses on Facebook, Twitter or other platforms rather than get involved with the “drama” of social media.

But, just as I was a bit uncertain at the outset of my day of being a patient but later found it was actually a bit fun, those companies that take the plunge and set up a social media profile (or two….) usually find that while it may initially seem difficult, with practice it becomes a great way to engage with others. By using social media to promote who their company is and how others can benefit from using their products and services, they build up their customer base and develop a strong presence on the Web.

No, the first few social media updates may not go viral (chances are, they won’t!) but with practice and perseverance, a social media page can be a strong tool in your marketing toolbox. So, don’t just sit back observe the social media scene, get out there and give it a go. You might just find that you like it.

In a bygone era, we had two ways to keep up with the world around us –the newspaper and the 6:00 pm news. Today, however, many of us keep up with local, state and world events using the Internet and our social media news feed. Consequently, it is vital that companies are sure to take advantage of this ever-changing news venues such as Facebook, Twitter and others.

As a company, it is up to you to see that your social media sites contain beneficial content that engages readers. Your posts might be made hourly, daily, weekly or even monthly, but whatever you choose, you want to be sure your news is staying in your audience’s news feed.

Of course, this maintaining a social media presence can take time and effort. You can give admin rights to people with your company and ask them to be vigilant in showcasing your latest industry news and pics or you can choose to hire a social media management team who can help you maintain the pages, interact with those who ask questions on your social media page(s) and even help you build a larger following.

So, don’t lag behind the times and choose to only use print media, take advantage of the social media and scene and keep your name out there. If you need help with managing social media pages, contact Write Away Copywriting and ask about the rates.

While there are many people out there who do not see the value of social media, as a business owner one cannot overlook its use. Of course, for social media to truly effective, knowing a few basics about how to make the most of it is important. These 16 tips will help make using social media easier and more effective.

Always be sure the content is interesting.

Don’t be afraid to post a controversial topic that is appropriate to your industry. Just be ready to defend/explain your position.

Remember that most people prefer pictures to lengthy text. In fact, 65% of people are visual learners.

While numbers are important on social media, keep in mind that engagement is even better.

Be sure that your company profile is completely filled out, and that you have used keywords in the description.

Don’t be afraid to try Pinterest – it’s not just a place for recipes, crafts and home decor ideas!

Don’t begin Tweets with @whoever as this limits who can see the tweet. Rather, type it as .@whoever (note the period) as this allows everyone to see the tweet.

Schedule posts on Twitter, just before or just after the hour.

Keep up with the changes on Facebook—especially those that pertain to business accounts.

Be sure that your full street address is on Facebook, so that people are able to check in.

Be careful about what you say to people, and don’t bad mouth competition, it’s just poor business.

Facebook and Pinterest, in addition to YouTube, are great venues for posting videos about what your company has to offer, be sure you are using them all.

Post coupons on your social sites—it builds interest and income.

Don’t over socialize…it is not necessary to be on every social media platform. Choose 3 or 4 that will suit your needs and put your efforts into those.

Social media is a great platform for business, so be sure you are not overlooking its power and potential. Do the posts yourself or hire someone to do it for you, but whatever you do, do not ignore it.

When one owns their own business, it is nice to stay busy. Consequently, it is easy to say, “Yes” each time someone asks if you can do something. But sometimes I look at my calendar and I think, “My goodness, what was I thinking when I agreed to that many projects for this week!” It is then that I realize that I truly do love my job because no matter how daunting a calendar might look, I find that I love the challenge and the opportunity to learn new things. Yes, there are weeks that are busier than others, but I also love the feeling I have when on Friday afternoon, I look back and realize that my crazy busy week was also one filled with learning and adventures.

This month, I have been asked by a client to read the book, Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung. In reading it, I have learned many tips that will help in both my business and personal life. Also as part of this month’s work, I was blessed to be asked by ClickReady Marketing to write about one of my other passions–cooking! So for a few days, I got to read -then write – about grilling, barbecue and seafood. Yes, I love my job!

So, while I have been busy with work, there are often times that the work feels more like play. Those are the weeks when I am especially glad that I don’t punch a time clock. Rather, I am blessed to work hours that suit my schedule and fill my calendar with work I enjoy. So to all you who help send me work requests, thanks! You allow me to have fun while staying busy!

I love Chinese food! From Moo Goo Gai Pan to Wonton Soup and Egg Foo Young to Spicy Orange Chicken, the spices and textures there comprise a well-planned Chinese meal. But, perhaps as much as the food brings pleasure, I love to open the fortune cookies and read their words of “wisdom”. (By the way, did you know that fortune cookies are not actually Chinese? Rather, they are based on a Japanese recipe and then made popular by Americans.)

Shown here are some fortunes I have received in recent months. No, I don’t base my work – or life- on the little slips of paper, but I must say these four have definitely given me something to think about.

What about you? Do these statements inspire you? What actions do you need to take? If your answer includes developing SEO web content, publishing blog posts, writing newsletters or making the most of social media, then talk to Jan at Write Away Copywriting to learn how to get started. I will be happy to help.

I love football! The camaraderie in team spirit, the thinking and strategizing, the physicality and the competiveness all work to make it a great game. But, in order for a team to be a success, they must have a solid game plan. Your business is no different. To have a profitable business, you must have a game plan.

Your plan will be different from the company’s down the block, but you must put some intentionality into what you want you to accomplish. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine what direction to take for your business, especially when it comes to building a website. You may struggle with whether to have an Events page versus a Blog spot, if you should have a Company History page or an Employee Bio page-or perhaps both.

If you need help in moving forward with your game plan for creating an online presence, then it’s time to talk to a web developer about what needs to be done. This is similar to when the coach lays out the approach for the upcoming game. Whether you enter the discussion with a web developer carrying your tablet or notebook, expect to get answers for the following:

How many pages your site must have to fully represent your company?

Will you have a blog or an events page? You should have at least one of these, as you don’t want your page to be static or Google is unlikely to notice its existence.

To what social media platforms will you link?

How much do you want to invest in building your website and its ongoing management?

These are but a few of the questions you will be asked as you craft your wining game plan, but they are very necessary to building an online presence. If you need direction in finding a trustworthy web developer, be sure to contact some of these web developers:

These are all friends of North Carolina copywriter, Write Away Copywriting. They will be happy to help you with the design and content of your website. And, if you should prefer to not do the writing for your website’s content, don’t hesitate to contact J. Slagell. Get started on your web presence game plan today so you can score a touchdown sooner and not later!

Just having a website is no longer enough. Today’s savvy business owner must keep up with Web trends, use social media, write newsletters or blog posts, plus be in the know about the latest advances in your current field. With so many jobs to do, it can be easy to let things slide or to get overwhelmed. How can you manage everything? By breaking it down into bite size jobs, and delegating jobs you don’t have time for or interest in.

When it comes to time and job management, perhaps one of the most necessary, but still overlooked, aspects of promoting your business is through an online presence. But, like other elements in business, the challenges of building a Web presence can be handled by breaking the job into smaller steps. To help you begin building a Web presence, ask yourself these questions:

What do you want your website to look life?

Does it explain who you are or what you do?

What is it that makes your product/service stand out?

Are there pics of your product or services posted on your website?

Do you know what your site’s keywords are (or should be)?

Do you have employee bios, company history or other elements that lead to personality and credibility?

What are you doing about social media?

What platforms are you using? The top four are Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and Pinterest, but LinkedIn, Foursquare, Tumblr, and Yelp should not be overlooked. However, not every one of these platforms is a perfect fit for every business, though it is safe to say that Facebook and Twitter should not be overlooked by any business.

If you do have social media pages, how often are you posting? Social media pages must be used –at the very least, 1-day a week to be of use. Your posts need to not just promote special events and services offered but also encourage engagement, build rapport with your customers and add personality.

Social media pages can be a big asset but only if managed. There will often be people who leave high praise on your page, but there can also be negative comments. Be sure to watch for the negatives so you can deal with the problem sooner, not later.

How are you getting the word out about your company? Do you…

Send out a newsletter?

Write link articles?

Write at least one blog post a month?

Have you ever held a lunch and learn event for local businesses?

Are you involved with local events where you can share what you do?

Take advantage social media advertising campaigns?

These are but a smattering of bite-size actions to consider as you build your Web presence. If you need help with social media, blog posts, articles or other writing elements, contact Write Away Copywriting, to learn how Jan can help.